Using the iPhone as a teaching tool

Abilene Christian University in Texas is handing out free iPhones — and then integrating them into their curriculum.

Their pilot program's goal was to explore how the iPhone might revolutionize the classroom experience. Think web apps to turn in homework, look up campus maps, watch lecture podcasts and check class schedules and grades. For classroom participation, there’s even polling software for Abilene students to digitally raise their hand.

This is the beginning of the end for the traditional classroom, where students depend on a textbook.

Professor Bill Rankin said “About five years ago my students stopped taking notes. I asked, ‘Why are you not taking notes?’ And they said, ‘Why would we take notes on that? I can go to Wikipedia or go to Google, and I can get all the information I need.”